Conservation Matters December 2016

After being eradicated from the United States for more than 30 years, New World screwworm flies reappeared in the lower Florida Keys this year. Screwworms have infested the endangered Florida Key deer population, which is spread across 11 islands. Approximately 130 deer, mostly males, have been killed by or euthanized due to the infestation, according to researchers.

The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) has announced the request for pre-proposals for the National Competitive Grant Program by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources.

For more than a decade, the Texas Bacterial Source Tracking Program has improved the identification process for bacterial pollution sources in watersheds across Texas to help restore water quality and protect human health, according to a Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) official.

The 2011 statewide drought is ranked as the most severe one-year drought on record. In the five years since, 16 regional water planning groups throughout the state have worked to develop regional water plans that would form the basis for the 2017 State Water Plan.

In a December news release, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced its support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposal to remove the black-capped vireo from the federal endangered species list. USFWS is accepting public comments on the proposal.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is soliciting applications for Agricultural Water Conservation Grants. The total amount of the grants to be awarded under this request for applications by the TWDB will not exceed $600,000 from the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund.

TWRI and the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute are working together to foster and communicate research and educational outreach programs focused on water and natural resources science and management issues in Texas and beyond.